Australia not planning tour match before India test series, coach says

Australia's cricket coach Andrew McDonald has announced that the national men's Test team will not field a tour match ahead of their upcoming five-Test series against India, following a similar approach in the 2023 series. After losing the first Test in Nagpur during the 2023 series, Australia opted to train on specially prepared, spin-friendly pitches in Bengaluru instead of playing a traditional warm-up match.

McDonald stated that they are exploring options to immerse themselves in conditions similar to India before the series opener on January 21, 2027, in Nagpur. The team has not won a Test series in India since 2004, when they defeated the hosts 2-1. Australia will face a challenging schedule leading up to the India tour, with a two-Test home series against Bangladesh starting in Darwin, followed by a three-Test tour of South Africa and another four-Test series against New Zealand.

Fast bowler Michael Neser has been ruled out of the Bengaluru series due to a calf strain, while wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis is expected to be available after recovering from a back spasm.